WDAZ's New Harris Platinum Series Transmitter

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January 2005 the new Harris Transmitter arrives

An unassembled Harris Platinum transmitter

WDAY-TV Chief Engineer Tom and Dave from Allied Movers  lifting the transmitter into the building

WDAZ Chief Engineer Jeff installing a PA module

Me working on the coax transfer switch

Tom hooking up power supplies

Here I am switching off the old RCA TT25 transmitter and Tom getting ready to transfer the new Harris transmitter to the antenna for the first time.  - April 2005

Jeff and Tom assembling ridged coax for the aural section of the transmitter

January 2005 -  New ridged coax transmission line for the tower being unloaded by the crew from Midwest Steeple Jacks.  The coax was stored in the lower level of the building most of the year.  MSJ started replacing the old line in December of 2005

One of my first priorities when I first started working at the transmitter site was to rewire the video and aural equipment racks.  This picture shows the rear of the patch bays and Distribution Amplifiers.  It all had to be redone when the new Harris came.

After WDAZ Engineer Scott finished ripping it appart. - May 2005

Scott working on the remote control system

Unloading the dishes for the new digital microwave system - Jan. 2005

Looking into the refurbished control room

WDAZ-TV started broadcasting with their new Harris Platinum Series Transmitter in April of 2005.  As soon as the market allows or the FCC requires us to, it will be converted to broadcast Digital HDTV

Transmitter Row

The Diplexer - used for combining the analog aural and video from the transmitter together before going up the antenna

The Mask Filter - used in digital broadcasting.  It's not being used yet.  It is however ready to go when the time comes.

In Sept. of 2005 Custom Aire Inc. From Grand Forks, ND was contracted to build a cooling system for the building.  The setup for the old transmitter was no longer  adequate for keeping the new equipment cool enough. Two guys named Chad and Mike did most of the work.

The new 12,000 Cubic Feet per Minute intake blower

the new 10,000 CFM inline exhaust blower before the ductwork was finished

Mike working on the intake vent for the filter room (i.e. the former Transmiter Engineer's Office)

Chad building the filter walls

Mike finishing up the exhaust ducts

Fastening the exhaust hood above the Transmitter Power Amplifier  Cabinets

Mike and Chad putting the exhaust vent hood in place

Break Time! -  Is he ever going to put that camera away???

I saved some bricks from when the guys cut the new exhaust vent so I could fill in the hole left by the old PBS transmitter vent.

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